Posted: 4/23/2026 10:43:28 PM EDT
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Anyone build a smaller cabin or house lately in Southcentral? I can get an acre of land from my parents for a good price, and plan on something small, maybe 450-500sq ft. I’m wondering about septic and well costs amongst others, and I’m thinking I’ll do the large ground screw foundation. This would be in the Kenai Peninsula and on the road system less than 10mi from Soldotna. The property has a small driveway put in, and electricity on the road as well. Anyone have any insight on all around costs, or any insight? Everything would be out of pocket, for the septic, electricity, well, and the shabin would be self built. I’m hoping less than 80k all told. |
Bleeding edge of retardation
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I can tell you my father in laws cabin / apartment being 24x24 with 8 ft ceilings and a full bath with washer and dryer on land he already owns is gonna run him $125K finished on the road system in the Mat Su Valley. That doesn't include the furniture etc thats turn key not extravagantly finished with a pellet stove and boiler, and that is with a "family friend" building it If you need septic and well no way you are gonna get 85K for it done, here in mat su a replacement (not install) septic tank is 16K with new installs going from $25-40K and wells are about most wells anywhere are $60-80 a ft,($6-9K or so) that doesn't include a softener which most places need in the kenai. Figure 100ft well. Spitballing Price Well and Septic: $30K-$50K Material: Rough cut is $3.50 a ft and processed at Home Depot is $16.34 a piece (2x6x12) in Kenai, if you self build, which you said you want to do. Contractor cost is $250-350 a sq ft IF and that is a BIG IF they want to work. I have had a few friends with real professions that have relocated to anchorage or MSB because they can't afford to live in the KPB. Also look at fire and flood maps before you build or buy. Everyone has the "alaska cabin" idea until they live it. Also are you looking at heat source other than wood ? If so you can drop another 7-12K for a boiler system. |
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Originally Posted By PolishX: I can tell you my father in laws cabin / apartment being 24x24 with 8 ft ceilings and a full bath with washer and dryer on land he already owns is gonna run him $125K finished on the road system in the Mat Su Valley. That doesn't include the furniture etc thats turn key not extravagantly finished with a pellet stove and boiler, and that is with a "family friend" building it If you need septic and well no way you are gonna get 85K for it done, here in mat su a replacement (not install) septic tank is 16K with new installs going from $25-40K and wells are about most wells anywhere are $60-80 a ft,($6-9K or so) that doesn't include a softener which most places need in the kenai. Figure 100ft well. Spitballing Price Well and Septic: $30K-$50K Material: Rough cut is $3.50 a ft and processed at Home Depot is $16.34 a piece (2x6x12) in Kenai, if you self build, which you said you want to do. Contractor cost is $250-350 a sq ft IF and that is a BIG IF they want to work. I have had a few friends with real professions that have relocated to anchorage or MSB because they can't afford to live in the KPB. Also look at fire and flood maps before you build or buy. Everyone has the "alaska cabin" idea until they live it. Also are you looking at heat source other than wood ? If so you can drop another 7-12K for a boiler system. That’s a bit of an eye opener. I’d probably just do another Toyo stove with a wood stove for the cold months. My buddy has a hobby sawmill he can make some siding for me with so long as I grab the dead spruce. I was honestly budgeting $30k ish for the septic and well. But, yeah. It’ll be a lot of coin |
Bleeding edge of retardation
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Also don't know when the last time you priced a wood stove but they are not cheap anymore unless you get used then that is a crap shoot at best. There are alot of good brands for small places Jotul makes a whole line of them for smaller cabins like that (F602 is for sub 800 sq ft spaces and is $2000-$2500/ F305 is for 1200 sq ft so you could run 1/2 load or whatever and keep it toasty) Jotul I like because they are super hi efficiency units and if you insulate it well and have proper air exchange you will be good. Not like living in fairbanks and their months of -20 etc.. There are plenty of good retailers down there (3 I think) but please for the love of god stay away from the home depot crap, buy once cry once and having has a stove here for 13 years get quality it wont overheat or let you down. My opinion the old style blaze king SUCKS. There are better units out there and more efficient. https://www.afireplacestoreak.com/product-information ) |
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Originally Posted By PolishX: Problem with saw mill stuff local its fine for siding and seal it / treat it but inside still gonna need regular old 2x4's from HD Originally Posted By PolishX: Problem with saw mill stuff local its fine for siding and seal it / treat it but inside still gonna need regular old 2x4's from HD Yeah. Planning on just using milled stuff for siding. |
Bleeding edge of retardation